Category: News

‘Exemplary’ redevelopment of Nano Nagle Place claims prestigious award

The redevelopment of the first convent founded by Presentation Sisters’ founder Nano Nagle has won the Urban Design award in a prestigious national competition. The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland gave the award, describing the South Presentation convent in Cork City as “an exemplary urban renewal project”. The project, completed in 2017, Nano…

Lawyer downplays suspended Vatican official’s role in London property deal

A lawyer for Msgr Mauro Carlino downplayed the suspended Vatican official’s involvement in a controversial London property deal, saying that his role was limited and ultimately benefited the Secretariat of State by saving five million euros. MsgrCarlino was secretary to Cardinal Angelo Becciu when he was “sostituto,” or the second-ranking official, at the Secretariat of…

Fr D’Arcy says Covid-19 ‘knocked me for six’

Ireland’s unofficial chaplain to the showbiz community has warned people to be careful about Covid-19, revealing his own diagnosis. Fr Brian D’Arcy has revealed: “Someone I was in the same room with – properly socially distancing I should add – tested positive. I had no symptoms. I was feeling a bit off but I’d just…

Belarus president accused of ‘insults and slander’ against exiled archbishop

A Catholic bishop in Belarus accused President Alexander Lukashenko of “insult and slander” after the government official charged the Church’s exiled leader with planning to “destroy the country” and called for a bar on foreign clergy. Auxiliary Bishop YuryKasabutski of Minsk said in social media post November 3 that he believed President Lukashenko’s words about…

Vatican Roundup

Covid-19: Vatican Museums, Pontifical Villas close again to public A statement issued by the Holy See Press Office November 4 said the Vatican Museums will be closed to the public from November 5 to December 3, in compliance with the Italian government’s latest anti-Covid regulations. The statement also said that, due to the current health…

Two nuns and a priest receive presidential award

Two nuns and a priest are among the 14 people who are to receive the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad for 2020. Sr Patricia Murray and Fr Kevin O’Hara SMS are being recognised for their work for peace, reconciliation and development in Italy and Nigeria respectively. Sr Louise Horgan is being rewarded…

In brief

US Supreme Court looks for compromise in Catholic foster care case The Supreme Court, now with a full bench, seemed willing to find a compromise during November 4 arguments about a Catholic social service agency shut out from Philadelphia’s foster care program for not accepting same-sex couples as foster parents. In the case, which pits…